enjoy delving into the Artists' Biographies
Wil Edwards-Franchimon
While studying for my Bachelor of Creative Arts at University of Wollongong (2019), I merged developing metalwork skills with environmental research to draw attention to our diminishing environment. I furthered my metalwork skills through both TAFE and National Art School. The combination of strength and malleability in steel help me to represent the tenacity now required to restore environmental balance.
Born in Sydney where I lived for 30 years, I only commenced my artistic journey after moving to the Jervis Bay area on Yuin country, where Steve and I raised our family. Keen for our children to have creative opportunities, I found myself participating in their artistic journey and attended local adult art classes. Looking to explore more diverse fields of art, I began studying my Bachelor of Fine Arts on-line through Open Universities (Curtin, WA), but missed the personal interaction and the equipment available at an onsite campus. In 2018 I continued my visual arts degree at the beautiful University of Wollongong campus, providing opportunities to work with various sculptural materials and equipment, including metalwork. This media gave me the freedom of experimentation without fear of failure, as mistakes can be welded back together (unlike ceramics, woodwork, textiles). A rewarding internship with steel sculptor, David Ball, further inspired my direction. Since graduating in 2019 I have worked full-time as a metal sculptor, participating in as many outdoor and indoor exhibitions as possible. Working from my recently constructed studio on our bushland property, my growing collection of metal working equipment supports my hand production of sculptures intended to encourage viewers to strive for the reinstatement of our natural environment.
List of Awards
2023
Emerging Artist (Outdoor Sculpture) Award – Sculpture for Clyde (Release, 2023)
2020
Peoples’ Choice Award – Harbour Sculpture Prize (Lift, 2020)
Peoples’ Choice Award – Seechange Arts Festival (Trapped II, 2020)
Recent Commissions
2022
T Haughee & F McDonald, Falls Creek NSW, Away, 160 x 140 x 110cm. $3000
E Martin, Moruya, Gathering III, 50 x 42 x 25cm. $550
2021
L White, Ainslie ACT, Wired, 150 x 120 x 12cm. $2000
A Gilroy, Oatley NSW, Flutter II, 55 x 70 x 12cm. $1200
2020
L and B Baudinet, Birchgrove NSW, Pause II, 190 x 100 x 15cm. $5000
Collections
My sculptures are held in private collections throughout Sydney, Regional NSW and Victoria.
Exhibitions
2023
14th October: Les Sculpture Refusee, Q Station, Manly
9th September: Sculpture in the Valley, Wilburra, Kangaroo Valley
Sculpture for Clyde, Foreshore, Batemans Bay
Sculpture Bermagui, Dickinson Park, Bermagui (Sell out: All 5 entries sold)
2022
North Sydney Art Prize, Balls Head Point, Waverton
Sculpture in the Gardens, Rosby Winery, Mudgee
Burrawang Ball, Burrawang School of Arts, Burrawang
Sculpture Bermagui, Dickinson Park, Bermagui
2021
Bowral Sculpture Prize, Bowral District Art Gallery
The Chan Art Sculpture Award, Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong
Sculpture Bermagui, Dickinson Park, Bermagui
2020
Harbour Sculpture Prize, Balmain Rowing Club, Balmain
Hidden Realities, Balmain Space Gallery, Balmain
Making Community, Seechange Arts Festival, Jervis Bay NSW
Vital Signs, Hazlehurst Gallery, Gymea NSW